It’s an extraordinary honour for me to be able to do an interview with this lady !
Hello Mara and thank you very much for your time.
Hi, no worries, it’s a pleasure!
How old were you when you first started training martial arts?
I started when i was 3 years old with Judo.
Along the way i integrated Judo with other martial arts.
I was little, so i didn’t know what i wanted to do when i grew up, but i never left combat sports.
What excited you about martial arts?
I like discipline, in sport and in Life.
In the cage you are against yourself.
You have to train hard, you have to sweat, and sacrifice yourself to do well in sport and in your Life.
Why exactly did you choose MMA ?
I choose MMA because the first time I trained, i felt good, i felt at home.
How old were you when you first stepped in the ring?
I put my first foot on the mat when i was 3 years old and the, as I said before, I never stopped.
At my first meeting with the cage,i was 26 years old.
My only regret is to have started late,
but the life is so beautiful and full of surprises.
You are an inspiration to many young people only starting out in MMA. What’s your advice to all young fighters?
I am very happy of that, my advice is that if you like to fight, you never stop doing it but doing it with DISCIPLINE AND DEDICATION and if you fall,you have to get up again.
Have fun in what you do.
It’s the only wayto reach your goals.
How did you get the nickname “Kunoichici”?
My nickname comes from my combative person; it means female samurai in Japanese.
I started in MMA with this nick, but then it changed to MARAVILLA, this is how they call me now, both in the gym, friends and fans.
Maravilla born from my personality because I’m combative but with smile, and i’m always positive in what I do. I fight with smile.
Which is the victory in your career that you treasure the most?
My first fight forUFC, in Las Vegas. Not only because I won, but for my mindset inside the cage.
You fought in many big organizations. Where did you feel the best?
It will seem obvious but I have to say UFC.
What are your memories of UFC so far?
I have few memories at the moment, but so many emotions about it!
You have an impressive score. Do you look for a particular rematch?
No rematch, because every loss left me something to learn and to improve myself.
In your opinion, what’s the secret of success in martial arts?
Believe in what we’re doing, dedicate time and will to do that.
Many people think that martial arts are not a sport at all, but just violence. What is your message to those people?
Violence is when you attack someone from the back, on the street. Violence is forcing someone to do what he doesn,twant to do.
We are in that cage because we want and wethat. Ours is a healthy comparison between athletes.
Nowadays you fight for UFC. How pleased are you with this partnership?
I’m really happy, it was only a dream, and now I am living the dream, the first Italian girl, and the first Honduran ever in UFC.
Italy has many excellent fighters competing in some of the best organisations. What are the reasons behind this?
In Italy the mma has developed only few years ago, and even lessyears ago the coaches understood that to grow up, they need to exchange experiences with other teams and not lock themselves up within their gym.
Moreover, there were entrepreneurs who decided to invest in our sport, so new big promotions were born, like Venator FC, giving visibility to our athletes also abroad.
Now for us the road is open, it’s up to the athletes to reach their goals.
Describe yourself in three words?
Mind, heart, God.
Which fight do you remember best?
First time i was K.O.-ed. It may seem strange but that push me to another level.
What is your life motto?
Always smile, and always be happy!
What are your goals and wishes?
My goal now is to obtain a title fight!
Do you have some more fights in future?
I still have nothing planned
How do you recharge your batteries?
After a match, resting and staying with your family
In everyday life resting the right, eating healthy and living a proper life.
What’s your opinion on the use of prohibited substances in sports?
Fight clean allows to testing yourself. If you use some substances, you are a weak person, and you are cheating yourself first, and your opponent than.
If you look back, would you change anything or decide otherwise?
I would start MMA early. I wouldn’t change a lot because otherwise
I wouldn’t be who I am now.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hahahaha in 10 years I’ll fight in BJJ, and I’ll be always on the mat, to teach and always to learn.
What kind of a lady is Mara in private?
Mara in private is always smiling, I like being close to my family and dearest friends.
You travel a lot. Do you have any anecdotes from the road you’d wish to share with us?
It is and hard question! I have so many anecdotes to tell!
What do you do in your free time?
In my free time, I am studying English and Portuguese. I like read and go to the beach.
I love the sea because it gives me peace and tranquility.
What is your favorite food?
I do not know because being on a diet every day, in my day off I like to eat something different every time
Perhaps a message for our readers in Slovenia?
Sure, I would like to come and meet you soon. Maybe for a stage. Thank you for follow and support me in my struggles and in my life.
Remember, always, to smile because life is beautiful!
Thank you for your time and all the best in future
Milan Krušič
